A LAWYER representing the family of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir has confirmed that a widely circulated 44-second audio clip—believed to be a conversation between the 13-year-old and her mother concerning an individual referred to as “Kak M”—is genuine.
Hamid Ismail, who was appointed by Zara’s mother, Noraidah Lamat, said the recording has been handed over to the police for further investigation.
In a related development, Hamid urged the public to refrain from fuelling unfounded theories and speculation surrounding the death of the Form One student from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (SMKA) Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar, Sabah.
He warned that wild narratives spreading on social media risk compromising the investigation process and could tarnish the dignity and reputation of both the deceased and her family.
“All parties should remain focused on the pursuit of justice, not on sowing confusion through sensational speculation,” said Hamid briefly when asked to comment on recent online claims that Zara had allegedly sustained internal injuries after being placed in a washing machine.
The disturbing allegation, which has circulated via anonymous social media accounts in recent days, suggests the machine was used by a supposed perpetrator to erase fingerprints and DNA traces. However, authorities have yet to confirm or acknowledge any element of the theory.
Zara was found critically injured and unconscious beneath her school dormitory building in the early hours of 16 July and later died at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital (HQE I) in Kota Kinabalu at 11am the next day.
Her death has sparked widespread public concern amid allegations of bullying and perceived lapses in the initial investigation, including the fact that no post-mortem examination was conducted prior to her burial.
Her family’s legal team has since submitted a formal request for her grave to be exhumed so that an autopsy may be carried out, alongside an application for an inquest under Section 339(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code to determine the true cause of death.
In a separate statement yesterday, Hamid and fellow counsel Shahlan Jufri revealed they had sent a letter to the Attorney General appealing for four specific actions: that the investigation papers be returned to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), that the case be reopened, that a senior investigating officer from Bukit Aman be appointed, and that Zara’s remains be exhumed to allow a forensic post-mortem and formal inquest to proceed.
The lawyers emphasised that Noraidah is not seeking a particular outcome, but merely justice for her daughter and remains fully cooperative with police efforts. - August 6, 2025
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